May 22 2014

The Thomas Constitution, The Boiling Pot, and Freedom

It has been said that we can judge the character of an individual by how they handle adversity. Through times of confrontation and criticism, warranted or unwarranted, and whether they be truth or lies, our responses in the harsh and uncomfortable times reflect the core of who we are and what we believe. I was often taught, as a boy, that heat makes the pot boil and whatever is in the pot, good or bad, will bubble to the top.

A few weeks ago, while attending the Republican Convention in Bangor, I was waiting for my wife in the concession area just outside the auditorium hall. Suddenly someone grabbed me by the shoulder and whirled me around. I came face to face with a very red faced and angry Senator Doug Thomas. He shook his finger at me and said, “One of these days, I will have my turn” and then stormed off.

This wasn’t a total surprise. In my tenure as County Chairman for Piscataquis County, I have had to deal with many a tantrum from Senator Thomas. Politics is a high-pressure occupation and some handle it better than others.

The reason for the Senator’s anger with me, at this point, has to do with the columns I have written about him in The Maine Conservative Voice. He has accused me of using my Chairmanship in the Republican Party as a platform to advocate for Paul Davis. This is absolutely untrue.

Four years ago, when I was first elected to Chair the Piscataquis Republican Committee, I was already writing this column. I stated very clearly to the committee that I would not have TMCV muzzled. I promised the committee that I would not be controversial using the title of Chair of the committee, but that I would keep all of my activism and controversy to my column and not drag the committee into those issues. I have kept my word.

Senator Thomas has claimed that this agreement between the Piscataquis Committee and myself did not happen. There are three reasons why the good Senator is mistaken in his accusations. Here they are:

First, both of my elections were held at conventions and since Senator Thomas is not from Piscataquis but Somerset, he would not have caucused with our committee and therefore would not have been privy to any of those conversations. Second, the by-laws of the committee clearly states that county committee members are not to use the committee to advance their own agenda or activism, which I promised to do simply in keeping with the by-laws. Thirdly, there is a little thing called the First Amendment, which states that I can express my opinion free from the confines of any committee or any threats from pompous Senators.

So, we see that my arrangement with the Piscataquis Republican Party was simply a reiteration of rules already in place. It’s more than ironic that the Honorable Senator Thomas has no problem with Deb Plowman, Chair of Penobscot County, fundraising and supporting his campaign. This double standard seems to imply that he fears the impact of this column.

After the misdeeds of Senator Thomas began to pile up, I knew I could be silent no more. I could not speak as Chair, but I knew if I put the heat on him through The Maine Conservative Voice, his true nature would boil to the top. And now the tantrums, threats, and vindictive behavior have been exposed for all to see by the heat of confrontation.

I was told to be silent or there would be a price to pay. I have paid the price. Senator Thomas has succeeded in removing me from my Chairmanship. But I will not be silent. I will speak and write all the more.

Senator Thomas seems to think that Republicans should only speak what he sanctions and agrees with. Rumor has it that the County Chair for Somerset, Cynthia Izon, is next on his target list. Her crime? She was seen speaking with Paul Davis at a fundraiser. Call out the hounds.

Senator Thomas, I’m quite sure The Maine Republican Party does not share your affection for the monarchy, despotism and totalitarian rule. As for me and The Maine Conservative Voice, my response to the Thomas Constitution, your attempts to silence me and remove me from the Republican Party is this: Be careful what you wish for!

Nov 21 2013

The Red County Firewall

The people of Maine endured a political firestorm in this past legislative session from the Democrats. From the moment they took their majority, they embarked on a partisan mission to undo every legislative accomplishment of the Republican Party. This narrow minded approach to governing was best exemplified recently as Maine Democrats voted down party lines against a bill to aid victims of sex trafficking, but then passed a Justin Alfond bill to promote wine tasting.

This “blind leading the blind” mantra practiced by the Alfond/Eaves Democrats is simply a parrot of the “my way or the highway” dogma preached by the Reid/Pelosi Democrats at the national level, where reaching across the aisle simply means to reach and pull Republicans to their side. All must obey. All must march in lockstep to the stamp of Nancy Pelosi’s stiletto heel or feel its sharp point in the back of their neck. One can then understand why Maine’s own whimpering Mike Michaud, Pelosi’s Puppy, meekly obeyed and voted against his own people, preventing them from keeping their health insurance.

The Alfond “subvert the people at all costs” tactics left the Governor sharpening and resharpening the quill on his veto pen. Governor LePage set a record for vetoes sustained. He would not have been able to defend the people of Maine with such tenacity had it not been for the strength of conservatives in the legislature who worked hard to sustain those vetoes.

In a recent conversation with an influential political operative and good friend, Jason Savage, I asked him what percentage of those vetoes sustained had been sustained by two or less votes. He didn’t have exact numbers with him but acknowledged that the percentage was pretty high. I further pressed him by asking which County was the most consistent in their votes to stop the overreach of the Alfond Democrats. Jason smiled because he knew where my questions were leading. He replied with this simple answer, “This is why we call Piscataquis County, ‘The Red County Firewall’.”

Paul Davis (R-Sangerville) and Pete Johnson (R-Greenville) are the two representatives from Piscataquis County. Their two votes have made up what has become know in political circles as “The Red County Firewall”. Their votes have been about more than sustaining the Governor’s vetoes; they have been about defending the common sense of Maine people. It has been about demanding that our State government pay its bills just like Maine residents do. With the support of “The Red County Firewall”, Governor LePage was able to pay the hospitals the money due them, something the Alfond led Democrats fought desperately to block. If you see Paul Davis or Pete Johnson, thank them for having the courage to hold the line against the firestorm of big government and selfish politicians. Thank them for being “The Red County Firewall” for the people of Maine!

Nov 5 2013

The High Value of Integrity

It has been some years now since I decided to step into the murky and troubled waters of politics. I remember the first time I walked into a political headquarters and offered to help in any way I could. To that point, I had viewed politics as a necessary evil and only got close enough to vote. But as I watched the steady downward spiral of this Country and this State I loved, I wanted to help. Perhaps, I thought, we could start to turn things around for our children.

The first politician I met when I walked through that door was Paul Davis. From that day I entered into one of the most honest, straightforward and frank relationships that I have ever been in. Despite my entering the political fray as an outspoken and, at times, edgy activist columnist, Paul was always encouraging to my involvement, though I’m sure my tendency to push the envelope could make one uneasy. Paul has always been direct in his opinion of my opinions. There is no confusion to where he stands on issues and this is why The Maine Conservative Voice is publishing this letter of endorsement to support Paul Davis in the Senate primary race for the new District Four.

Paul Davis believes in fiscal responsibility and small government. He not only believes it, he lives it. He is one of the most frugal men I have ever met.

Paul Davis is a social conservative but it is more than a title to him. He has never betrayed those of faith whose vote he courts by claiming to believe one way and living another way. Paul gives his word and stands by it.

Paul Davis will never sell his vote for campaign favors. He does his best to ally himself with men and women of like conscience, who will work with him to represent his constituents. In the very tough and, at times, ugly business of politics, it’s nice to see someone who is willing to take a stand on principle.

Paul Davis believes that the government should stay out of the private lives of the people, their homes and their businesses. He is a strong proponent of private landowner rights and prefers to keep government out of the private sector. Government has a way of confusing what honest citizens do so efficiently.

Paul Davis’ record speaks for itself. Those he has represented for so many years know him. They know he will listen to them and speak for them in Augusta, like the time he put in a bill to change the regulatory mess that was keeping Chris Clukey from establishing his optometrist office in Dover-Foxcroft or the bill to protect the Sebec and Milo dams, which guard Maine’s only natural salmon fishery in Sebec Lake. They know they can put their trust in him because he has proven over and over again that he values and protects their trust.

It’s time to restore integrity to this Senate District again. It’s time to restore the common sense and honesty to this area. It’s what we value most in Maine. Please join me in supporting Paul Davis to be our next Senator from the new District Four.

Andy Torbett

The Maine Conservative Voice

Jun 8 2013

Of Brave Young Men

All of Piscataquis mourns the loss of one of its greatest treasures, her youth. A young man named Dacano Arno drowned recently in the currents of Sebec River. Even for those such as myself who did not know the boy personally, there is an overwhelming since of grief at the loss of promise, talent and personhood that we experience as a community. A parent’s heart aches for the grief that those that bore him, nurtured him and now say goodbye to him feel in their hearts. For this there is only love and prayer for a balm.

But as we all grieve in our several ways, let us not lose sight of the heroism this young man showed. Caught in the grip of a treacherous current, he still thought of his friend above himself, pushing him to safety. It is this test of courage that has shown the mettle of so many brave young men. Dacano is not the first, nor will he be the last, to pass this hallmark of bravery on his way to eternity, but, for Piscataquis, he is ours. For, with all that is wrong in our Nation, Dacano Arno represents what is right.

There are still brave young men who fight for this Nation on the battlefields of war and for their friends in the rivers of the Maine wilderness. Their courage is the same. It runs through their core. And it is the backbone of who we are and how we stand.

General Patten once said that we should not mourn the loss of brave young men, but, rather, rejoice that such men lived. I suspect it would be near impossible not to grieve this loss, even for a hardened old general. But I do rejoice that Dacano lived. That he left behind an example of leadership, selflessness and love of his fellow man for his friends to follow.

I did not know this young man personally, but he is a tribute to his parents, family and friends. It is easy to see what manner of man he was by his final act, tested in the crucible of death. At his core, this young man lived by this timeless truth: “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for a friend.”